2 Corinthians 1:3-4 Blessed is the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles so that we may be able to comfort those experiencing any trouble with the comfort we received from God.
A central theme of this second letter to the church in Corinth is the power of God in the midst of difficulties and sufferings; this power of God held in weak, imperfect humans; this power of God that is His glory revealed through us; and, in these verses, the power of God that comforts us and allows us to comfort others. Though we may desire His power to be a shield of protection from troubles and sufferings, Paul wrote that God’s deliverance and comfort often come after much affliction – even when we are just at the breaking point.
“For we do not want you to be unaware regarding the affliction that we experienced: we were excessively burdened, beyond our strength, that we despaired even of living. …so that we could not trust in our own strength but in God who raises the dead. He delivered us from such a great risk of death, and He will deliver us again.” (Vs 8-10)
Though Paul is writing of a real risk of death, we all experience times of overwhelming pressure and difficulties from without and within. If nothing else, these troubles reveal that we cannot trust in our own strength. It is a comfort to be reminded that God doesn’t expect us to be super humans! We are vessels of weak material – easily broken and crushed. It is correct to feel that we can’t make it on our own. We should expect that some troubles will overwhelm us and push us to the breaking point, and that it is God’s power alone that will keep us from total devastation. Indeed, Paul constantly paints a picture of our human weakness and God’s power to sustain us, restore us and even to bring us back from the brink of destruction. He alone is our hope and strength!